Contents

Composition

Judges of the Supreme Court are nominated by the President
of Russia and appointed by the Federation Council. In
order to become a judge a person must be citizen of Russia, attain
the age of 35, have legal education and 10-years length of
service.

The Supreme Court consists of Civil cases Board, Criminal cases
Board and Martial Board, which deal with respective cases. Those
cases in which the Supreme Court has the original jurisdiction are
heard in Board. Appeals on the decisions of the Boards are brought
in the Cassation Board. Whereas a Board reviews decisions of lower
courts, appeal is brought to the Presidium of the Supreme
Court.

At least once in four months plenary sessions of the Supreme
Court are held. Plenary session must be attended by all judges of
the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General of
Russia. On plenary sessions the Supreme Court studies judicial
decisions of lower courts on various topics and adopts resolutions,
which establish recommendations on interpretation of particular
provisions of law for lower courts for uniform application. Russian
law does not recognize judicial precedent as a source of law, but courts strictly follow
such recommendations. Otherwise decision contrary to
recommendations of the Supreme Court will be reversed.

Academic consultative Council attached to the Supreme Court of
the Russian Federation (Научно-консультативный совет при Верховном
Суде Российской Федерации) is a body created in order to assist the
Supreme Court in various legal and academic matters. It comprises
members of the Supreme Court itself, academics and practising
lawyers and law enforcement officers. The members of the Academic
consultative Council are elected on plenary sessions of the Supreme
Court.

The Supreme Court is also the court of last resort for cases
heard in lower courts since it reviews decisions of lower courts.
When petition requesting reverse of a decision of a Supreme Court
of federal subject comes to the Supreme Court it is observed by one
of the judges of the Supreme Court. He may either submit it to
respective Board or decline to do it if he finds decision of a
lower court "lawful and well-grounded" (common legal expression in
Russian courts). The Supreme Court may
either affirm or reverse the decision of a lower court. If it is
reversed the Supreme Court either renders its own resolution or
provides that the case is to be reheard in lower courts.